Day 1 Arrival
Evening introductions welcome drink and Itinerary Briefing.
Day 2
After breakfast we visit fascinating Kayaköy, formerly Levissi. This deserted town of some 2000 stone houses is now an historical monument to peace. Our guided tour includes two churches, the school and wine store. From the hill we admire the fertile valley with its farms, orchards, tobacco fields and crops. Lunch includes traditional bread making. Our afternoon coastal walk takes us up cobbled village pathways and down to the Blue Lagoon at Ölüdeniz. Stunning scenic photo opportunities.
Day 3
This morning we drive to the slopes of Baba Dag Mountain where we commence our trek through lovely countryside with welcoming villages. We follow the ancient Lycian Way with the blue Mediterranean on one side and magnificent Taurus Mountains on the other. After lunch we head down through olive groves to picturesque Faralya, first village on the Yedi Burun (Seven Capes) that was, until recently, isolated and self-sufficient. We enjoy local refreshments before meeting our transport.
Day 4
Our air-conditioned bus takes us to impressive hilltop Tlos, home of Pegasus, with its fascinating rock-cut tombs, amphitheatre and fort. We then walk to the Roman keystone arched baths overlooking the fertile Xanthos valley. We pause on our drive to visit the Carpet Weavers Association that supports traditional weavers and we have an opportunity to purchase investment carpets and kilims. At the amazing Saklikent Gorge we walk part of the 18km long water-sculpted limestone canyon, so steep and narrow walled that the canyon floor remains in shade. Lunch is beside the gushing icy spring waters. Next is an extensive tour of Xanthos, once the capital and grandest city of ancient Lycia. We visit a fine Roman theatre and look at pillar tombs with Lycian inscriptions used to decipher the language. We admire fine rock face Lycian tombs before driving to Patara. Time for a stroll along part of the 18km golden sands before returning to our accommodation.
Day 5
Today we walk to the infrequently visited ruins of Afkule Monastery in the cliffs above the Mediterranean. We appreciate the peaceful seclusion and amazing views experienced by the former monks. In this area we can identify indigenous aromatic plants such as thyme, oregano and sage and may also observe wild tortoises, birds of prey and evidence of wild boar. Before arriving at Gemiler Beach we pass through coastal pine forests where shepherds tend their goats. Following a barbeque lunch we cruise to St Nicholas Island, once the Saint's home, and along the beautiful Lycian Coast visiting bays and coves before disembarking at Ölüdeniz for our return drive.
Day 6
We have an exciting walk of about 6 hours ahead of us today from Üzümlü Village to the rarely seen ancient site of Cadianda. This is a medium difficulty walk. We may observe raptors, small birds and numerous plant species. We start near a very old plane tree and commence our climb up the stony path and into the woods where we see our first Lycian tombs. Hector's Tomb is a fine example, cut from rock and decorated with reliefs. Inside the ancient Roman walls of Cadianda we enjoy a magnificent panorama of the valley and walk up to ancient water cisterns and on to the Stadium. After lunch we return downhill to see the Theatre, the Necropolis, Stoa and Agora and then head down a rather steep incline past more ruins and tombs to the forest and back to Üzümlü Village which is renowned for its attractive traditional loom weaving.
Day 7
Ancient Telmessos, 450BC, is the focus of today's tour. Now the modern market town of Fethiye there is an abundance of historical sites. Our guided tour includes the Lycian stone sarcophagi throughout the town including the impressive 350BC Tomb of Amyntas. This Ionic temple façade is carved into the sheer rock face and well worth the climb for the stunning photographic views across Fethiye bay and its 12 islands. We explore the Crusader Fortress and pause at the Roman Theatre. There is time to wander through Paspatur, the old town area, with its appealing shops. Late afternoon a marvellous experience awaits us, as an option, at our accommodation - a genuine Turkish Bath (Hamam) followed by a massage. (Payable locally) There is no better way to complete our wonderful week's walking tour.
Day 8
After a leisurely breakfast there is time for a swim or last minute shopping in nearby Hisarönü before we depart for the airport.
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